Situated between Apollo Bay and Port Campbell in The Port Campbell National Park are the 12 Apostles. Original named ‘The Sow and Piglets’. The name was changed in the 1950s to tempt more visitors to see them. These famous residence of The Great Ocean Road were created from the 70 meter limestone cliffs by the relentless pounding of the Southern Ocean. To date only 8 of the original 12 apostles are still standing as the ocean continues to erode and shape the coast line.

How they were created

The limestone rock that makes up the 12 Apostles was created through the build up of skeletons of marine creatures on the sea floor. As the sea retreated, the limestone was exposed.

Over 20 million years ago the restless, stormy Southern Ocean and it’s blasting winds began attacking the soft limestone cliffs. Gradually the softer limestone eroded, forming caves in the cliffs. The caves eventually became arches and when they collapsed, rock pillars up to 45 metres high were left – The Twelve Apostles. The Apostles are eroded by the sea at a rate of approximately 2cm a year.

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Philip Johnson is a Photographer located on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. Specialising in HDR photography his works have been shown in galleries,published in Tourism campaigns. His work will also be available as Jig Saws through Crown & Andrews

Top shot Phillip, All this series is very appealing and well composed.

thanks Terry , it was good spending an extended period in the area , I was able to take my time catch the sunsets , investigate work out the best time of day rather than rushing through and trying to do the road in one day. Plenty of other things to do in the area including the Otways National Park